Texas

Charlie Kirk shooting: Texas leaders react

Published

8 months ago

September 10, 2025

Charlie Kirk shooting: Texas leaders react

article

CAMBRIDGE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE – MAY 19: Charlie Kirk speaks at The Cambridge Union on May 19, 2025 in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. (Photo by Nordin Catic/Getty Images for The Cambridge Union)

DALLAS – Texas lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are weighing in on the shooting death of Turning Point USA founder and conservative firebrand, Charlie Kirk.

Kirk, 31, was speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on Wednesday afternoon. It was the first stop of his American Comeback Tour.

Graphic video posted to social media shows Kirk on stage, sitting in a chair, talking into a microphone. A single gunshot was heard and Kirk’s head thrust back as he fell. People started screaming and running away, the video shows.

Texas leaders offer support, condemn political violence

Texas lawmakers in Washington and Austin were quick to respond to the shooting, with some condemning it as an act of political violence.

What they’re saying:

“Charie Kirk has been shot,” Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne said. “Evil will not silence the truth. He is stronger than prayers – and so are we. Standing with Charlie.”

“Our prayers go out to Charlie Kirk and his family,” Rep. Monica De La Cruz said.

Rep. Dan Crenshaw called the shooting a “despicable act of hate.”

“God Bless Charlie Kirk, I can’t believe what I’m hearing right now,” Crenshaw said. “I’ve known Charlie since 2018. *His first son just turned one. His daughter is only 4.* I don’t care how much you hate his opinions or rhetorical tactics, this is the most despicable act of hate imaginable.”

Sen. Ted Cruz called Kirk a friend and said he was stunned by the news.

“This is horrific. I am stunned,” Cruz said. “@charliekirk11 is a good friend—we’ve been friends since he was a teenager—and a courageous leader. Heidi & I are praying for Charlie right now. May God’s healing hand be upon him.”

“Devastating news. Charlie Kirk leaves behind a beautiful family, including two young children who should not have to grow up without their father,” Rep. Michael McCaul said. “I am praying for Charlie’s loved ones — and for our nation — in this harrowing moment.”

Democrats were also quick to respond. Rep. Marc Veasey retweeted a post from California Gov. Gavin Newsom condemning the attack as political violence.

“Agree 100% Gov!” Veasey said.

Veasey would later release a statement that reads:

“I condemn in the strongest terms the shooting of Charlie Kirk. This disgusting act of political violence has no place in our democracy, and we cannot allow these acts to become normalized. I pray for Charlies and his family during this difficult time.”

“I strongly condemn the shooting of Charlie Kirk,” Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Colin Allred said. “Political violence against anyone is outrageous and an attack on our democratic process. We must all unite against this.”

Rep. Jasmine Crockett said political violence “has no place in our democracy.”

“Today’s act of political violence in Utah against Charlie Kirk is absolutely disgusting and unacceptable,” Crockett said.

At that state level, members of the Texas Legislature weighed in with comments on the shooting expressing their prayers for Kirk’s recovery.

“Our prayers are with Charlie Kirk, his family, and his loved ones,” House Speaker Dustin Burrows said. “The darkness and violence unleashed against him today, as he worked to share the values of a free America, is gut-wrenching. We stand with him in faith and strength.”

“I just visited with Charlie at two different events in June, including an event for a wonderful pro life ministry called PreBorn,” state Sen. Angela Paxton said. “Charlie was well known for his college campus debates, but he also gave freely of his time for nonprofits and ministries that were special to him. Our love and prayers are with his precious wife and young children , along with his extended family and all who loved him. His impact is immeasurable.”

Gov. Greg Abbott said he and the first lady were praying for Kirk.

“Truly unimaginable,” Attorney General Ken Paxton said. “Praying for Charlie Kirk right now.”

Later, Paxton would add:

“This act of pure evil is truly sickening. Charlie was an American patriot, a friend, and a faithful husband and father. Join me in praying for Charlie’s family and friends at this time. Words can not express how horrific this is to all of us.”

Charlie Kirk shot

What we know:

According to the university, shots were fired from a nearby building around 1:20 p.m. local time, about 20 minutes after he started speaking.

“We believe that he was shot,” the university told FOX TV Stations.

Campus has been closed for the remainder of the day.

President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social the news of Kirk’s death.

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!

What we don’t know:

There is no suspect in custody. Earlier, the university said there was a suspect in custody, but officials have since said no one has been detained.

The Source: Information in this article comes from previous FOX 4 reporting. Comments made by Texas lawmakers come from posts made from their respective social media accounts.

TexasUtah

Source link

Texas

6 people found dead inside a boxcar in Texas, officials say | CNN

Published

4 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

6 people found dead inside a boxcar in Texas, officials say | CNN

Six people were found dead inside a cargo train boxcar in a Texas city along the southern border on Sunday, officials said.

The bodies were found in a Union Pacific train at a rail yard in Laredo, around 160 miles south of San Antonio, just after 3:30 p.m. local time, said Jose Espinoza, a public information officer with the Laredo Police Department.

The circumstances of their deaths are unknown, said Laredo police spokesperson Joe Baeza, according to CNN affiliate KGNS, and an investigation is underway.

Union Pacific operates across the border and is the only railroad that services all access points into Mexico, according to the freight company’s website.

Temperatures on Sunday afternoon in Laredo were in the low-mid 90s, though it’s unclear whether heat was a factor.

Union Pacific said it was saddened by the incident and is working closely with law enforcement to investigate.

Laredo police said they received a call around 3 p.m. from an employee at the Union Pacific rail yard, KGNS reported. The bodies were discovered during a routine rail car inspection, police said. No survivors were found.

CNN has reached out to Laredo police for more information.

“It’s a very early phase of the investigation. There’s not a lot to reveal right now,” Baeza said, KGNS reported.

The immigration status and ages of the deceased are not yet known, Espinoza said.

US Customs and Border Protection referred CNN to the Laredo Police Department, saying “The incident remains under investigation by Laredo Police Department and Homeland Security Investigation and Texas Rangers.”

CNN has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, HSI and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

“It’s a very unfortunate event,” Espinoza told CNN. “It was too many lives that were lost.”

This story has been updated with additional information.

Source link

Texas

Gov. Abbott activates state emergency resources ahead of severe storm threat

Published

16 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Gov. Abbott activates state emergency resources ahead of severe storm threat

article

Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate state emergency response resources as a massive storm system threatens much of the state with hurricane-force winds, giant hail, and the risk of tornadoes.

Severe weather in Texas

The severe weather, expected to last through Monday morning, covers a vast footprint including West, North, East, Central, and South-Central Texas. Forecasters warned the system could produce wind gusts exceeding 75 mph and hail larger than 2 inches in diameter.

What they’re saying:

“Texas is prepared to confront the severe storms that pose a threat to communities all across our state,” Abbott said in a statement. He urged Texans to monitor local forecasts and warned motorists never to drive through flooded roadways, invoking the phrase, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”

Heavy rainfall is expected to be widespread, with some areas potentially seeing isolated totals of 3 to 6 inches, which could lead to significant flash flooding. As the system progresses, the threat is expected to shift toward the South and Southeast Texas coasts.

LIVE RADAR

In preparation, the governor has deployed a wide array of state assets to assist local officials, including:

Search and Rescue: Swiftwater and floodwater rescue boat squads and urban search and rescue teams from Texas A&M Task Forces 1, 2, and 3.
Aviation and Marine Support: Helicopters with hoist capabilities from the Department of Public Safety and Texas Parks and Wildlife, as well as Tactical Marine Units.
Infrastructure and Recovery: Texas Forest Service saw crews to clear debris from roads and Department of Transportation personnel to monitor highway conditions.
Medical and Utility Support: Emergency medical task forces with ambulances and all-terrain vehicles, along with monitors from the Public Utility Commission to coordinate power outage responses.

State agencies are also monitoring the state’s natural gas supply and water quality as the storms move through.

Officials encouraged residents to assemble emergency kits and check road conditions at DriveTexas.org before attempting to travel.

The Source: Information in this article is from the Governor Greg Abbott Press Office.

TexasSevere Weather

Source link

Texas

Cruise ship linked to hantavirus outbreak heads to Spain

Published

1 day ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Cruise ship linked to hantavirus outbreak heads to Spain

A cruise ship tied to a deadly hantavirus outbreak is expected to dock in Spain within hours after days anchored off the Canary Islands, with officials reporting more than 150 infections and preparing to transfer passengers to a nearby airport for evacuation; among them, 17 Americans will be sent to the National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska for up to eight weeks of isolation, while two Texans who disembarked before the outbreak was detected are already home and monitoring for symptoms.

Source link